Australia: Riding to Victory

Blayney Chronicle
18/07/2008 10:24:00 AM
Dianne Luker (right) and Anabriar Khaboul cross the finish line in style after a grueling 160

Dianne Luker truly beat the odds, battling night blindness and a last minute call up, to take out the 2008 Horseland NSW State Championship endurance ride on Anabriar Khaboul.

Anabriar Khaboul’s Wellington based owner and rider, Peter Cooper, was recovering from heart surgery and thus unable to compete in the grueling 160 kilometre event and called upon Luker to ride in his stead, a choice that proved successful.

Luker had ridden Anabriar Khaboul previously and was on the horse, ready for the 2am start at Manilla, north of Tamworth, along with the race’s 85 other entrants.

“I had ridden the horse earlier in its career but it is 10 times the horse it was then,” Luker said.

“He’s just an awesome horse.”

It wasn’t easy going for Luker either, as the experienced endurance rider suffers from night blindness.

It made the early start in the race difficult.

“Friends of mine are aware of my poor night vision and there is always someone to stay with me during the dark,” Luker said.

The horse was a favourite going into the race and didn’t disappoint, with Luker crossing the finish line holding hands with Stuart Hitchcock to signify that the race finished in a tie in a time of 10 hours and nine minutes.

Hitchcock, on the horse Farras, had caught up at the end of the fourth stage and the two riders agreed to finish in equal first, with Luker winning the lightweight division and Hitchcock the heavyweight.

Both horses were deemed the fittest in their divisions by the vet panel.

Luker said it was not unusual for two horses to tie the race because the motto for endurance racing is “to complete is to win”.

“The ride organisers did not want a gallop finish, as it could be dangerous and a bit rude to ask a horse to do that after he had taken a person 160 kilometres,” Luker said.

Endurance riding involves five stages over 160 kilometres with a one hour rest and vet check betweens stages.

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Australia: Endurance test for Fleming

The Invernell Times
18/07/2008 10:06:00 AM
HARDWORK: Clare Fleming and Arab gelding Mangueira Moksha at the Queensland State Championships. Photo: Mick Goater

INVERELL endurance rider Clare Fleming has returned successful from the NSW and Queensland state championships.

The events were only one week apart this year and Fleming said her motto was “to complete is to win”.

The endurance championships involve a 100 mile (160km) ride in one day, which is divided up into a minimum of five tracks.

Horses are presented to the vetting team before the ride begins and then at the end of each track.

Only if the horse is deemed fit to continue, the rider is able to set off onto the next part of the ride.

“After vetting through successfully at the end, riding 100 miles (160km) in one day, I definitely feel like a winner,” Fleming said.

It was a long week for Fleming, it started with a 2am start on Sunday when she saddled up her bay Anglo mare Birramalee Queen of Hearts and set off to ride 100 miles in the countryside surrounding Manilla.

There where five legs - 43km, 43km, 30km, 30km and 14km.

After riding for fourteen hours and one minute, Fleming’s mare was judged by the vetting panel to be sound and healthy.

Together, they placed eighth Lightweight, and were among the 53.49 per cent of the initial 86 riders that completed the ride successfully.

Fleming was very pleased with this result because last year, at the QLD State Championships her mare was vetted out after riding the 100 miles.

Then less than one week later at 1am on Saturday, Fleming again saddled up.

This time, she rode her grey Arab gelding Mangueira Moksha.

This ride was based at Imbil in QLD, and consisted of six legs: 37km, 32km, 30km, 35km, 21km, and 15km.

At the fourth leg of the ride, the vets were very concerned about the tenderness displayed by Moksha at the touch of their hand in the saddle area. It looked like he was going to be vetted out.

Fleming then applied ice to his back, changed saddles and rode a lot slower in the last two legs of the ride.

This strategy worked with Fleming and Moksha successfully completing the ride with a time of 13 hours and 56 minutes.

Together, they placed second Lightweight and were amongst the 52 per cent of the 55 riders that completed.

Fleming said it was a very challenging ride in the mountains.

The Red Truck Raggers, made up of Fleming, Leila Calander and Ian Davidson, won the team event with the fastest combined riding time for the 100 miles.

They were presented with the Timms Trophy.

This year the Tom Quilty Gold Cup Ride is at Nanango in QLD.

Fleming is hoping to compete in this international event and in just 10 weeks time she will again saddle up one of her endurance horses to ride 100 miles in one day.
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Tasmania: Sassafras today, tomorrow the worlds

The Advocated - advocate.com.au
BY MARTIN AGATYN
18/07/2008 12:00:00 AM
A WORLD CUP qualifying event at Sassafras tomorrow has attracted international endurance riders to one of the biggest equestrian events in Tasmania in years.

The 160km ride is a Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) three-star event and has attracted entries from Malaysia, New South Wales and Queensland.

The ride is being conducted by the Burnie Equine Endurance Riders club (BEER) and will be the first time a world cup qualifying event has been held in Tasmania and the first FEI-rated event to be held in Tasmania for more than three years.

The ride will be based at Smith and Others Rd at Sassafras and will use tracks on nearby pine and eucalypt plantations.

The gruelling ride will be one where physical stamina and the mental fitness of both horses and riders will be pushed to their limits.

The endurance event will start at 2am tomorrow and riders will need to complete the six legs in under 12 hours and 20 minutes, finishing by 5.20pm (including compulsory hold and vetting periods), to qualify for the world cup, which will be staged in Malaysia in September.

The six legs will vary from 20km to 30km in length and riders will be given a maximum of 15 hours to complete all six legs.

Queensland's Peter Toft is expected to be a strong contender and will be looking for more success in Tasmania.

Toft won the sport's most prestigious national event, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup, when it was held in Tasmania in 2001.

A strong Tasmanian contingent of riders is also expected to compete, including Lilydale trio Noel Lockhart, Alison Dent, and Bradley Hill.

A youth section will be incorporated for riders between 14 and 21 years old.

As leader of the Tasmanian junior points series, Bradley Hill is keen to ride his horse Lockleigh Park Star against national competitors.

Alison Dent and Noel Lockhart will also be hoping for a good result.

About 30 Tasmanian riders are expected to contest the shorter 80km, 40km and 20km non-qualifier events, in addition to the entry list of 20 riders for the 160km endurance ride.
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NZL: Horses for Sheik

Herbert-based endurance horse
trainer Kevin James, with
daughters Jorja and Bridgett.

Kevin James and Sarah Hamer train endurance horses for Sheik Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Endurance riding horses involves riding long distances (50-150km) over several days with vets constantly checking the animals.

Kevin and Sarah used to have 20ha at Mayfield on which they trained the horses but were able to sell their farmlet at a high price and buy a 40ha block at Herbert nearly four years ago. Not only is the land cheaper in Herbert but there is no crime, facilities are good including the school. The couple have four children under the age of eight, the youngest about six months old.

Kevin who is in his early 50s has been doing speed endurance riding for 30 years. He was part of the New Zealand team which won the world championship in 1998 in Dubai. It gave him great exposure and people from around the world wanted him to train horses including the Sheik. In 1999 a Sheik's representative asked him to buy and train horses for the UAE's vice-President, Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai.

Kevin says the Sheik has thousands of horses based around the world and until the equine flu horses were sent from Australia to Herbert. A batch came in just before the restrictions came on.

They are training about 16 horses which they prepare to a certain stage. Only six are from the Australian programme the rest are New Zealand sourced.

While people living in or outside cities spend 30-40 minutes or even longer travelling to work each day, he walks out the door.

[Original Article]

Dubai's Al Maktoum family attends European Open

Gulf News
Staff Report
Published: July 14, 2008, 00:08

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Sunday attended the European Open Endurance Women's Championship.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Events Management Corporation, and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, also attended the race.

Shaikha Latifa Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum won the individual title.

Shaikha Latifa, Shaikha Mariam, Shaikha Futaim and Shaikha Shaikha, the daughters of Shaikh Mohammad, won the team title.

Twenty-six riders, representing many European countries, took part in the race.

This victory comes as a new addition to the previous accomplishments achieved by UAE.

[Original Article]

Colombia: Mutis and Ga0na set sights on 2008 WEC

FEI Press: Italy - Forty-Six Riders Compete over the 160 km Track at CEI 3* Assisi

photo: Simona Garratti for Italy with the French bred Z’Tadore Al Maury in a ride time
of 10hr 30min 18 sec
(c) Gilly Wheeler

The weather forecast was unfortunately one hundred percent correct as thunder lightening and heavy rain engulfed the riders at Assisi, almost as spectacular as the fireworks at the welcome party.

At 5am on a very cold morning 46 riders from nine nations set out on the 160km course that had already been battered by the heavy rain of the preceding days. The course had been considerably altered from that used for the 120km ride last year, no longer containing the section along the cobbled streets in the centre of the most beautiful and historical town of Assisi.

The general opinion was that is was a good, technical but difficult course and a vast improvement compared to last year.

Technical delegate John Robertson (GBR) commented, “It was an excellent ride at which the inclement weather conditions showed up the shortcomings , which is the idea of a trial ride and will be corrected for the FEI Open European Championship next year.”

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Australia: Riders from all over head here

GYMPIE region endurance riders can look forward to a big season with State Championships at Imbil this weekend and the prestigious Tom Quilty Gold Cup in Nanango in two months time.

And this weekend's riders can expect a more interesting event, with recent rain creating many more flowing creek crossings than is usually the case.

After overcoming the effects of last year's equine influenza outbreak, more than 100 of Australia's best riders will assemble at Imbil Showgrounds on Saturday to compete in the 2008 State Endurance Riding Championships.

Event publicist, Peter Hennessy said the event would be held over "a spectacular 160km course through the Imbil and Kenilworth State Forests."

"It is a test for both horses and riders to achieve this feat in less than 24 hours," he said.

"Horses are subject to rigorous veterinary checks every 20km approximately and any sign of lameness or metabolic disorder will immediately disqualify the competitor."

Promising many excellent photographic vantage points for spectators, he said the course would be "even more interesting this year, as there will be many flowing creek crossings."

Mr Hennessy said organisers were anticipating the winner would cross the line about 4pm Saturday, after a midnight start on Friday.

And, in September, the Tom Quilty Gold Cup is expected to draw competitors internationally, as well as from all over Australia.

The major endurance ride will be held in Nanango on September 19 to 21.

"Considered one of the most challenging and competitive horse events in the world, the 'Quilty' attracts champion riders from all over," publicist Pauline Clayton said yesterday.

"Last year, the King of Malaysia was one of the competitors at the Nanango International Endurance event," she said. The ride is a brainchild of outback legend RM Williams and now attracts up to 250 of the world's finest riders.

Ms Clayton said that with friends, buyers, vet teams and officials, a crowd of more than 1000 is expected, with many camping out at the showgrounds.

"Despite metrics, the original idea of riding a horse 100 miles in a day has held true and the course is now 160km through the hilly terrain of the East Nanango State Forest in the South Burnett region," she said.

Origianl Article

Smoke questions cloud July 19 Tevis Cup ride’s future

Roseville Press-Tribune online
Organizers of 100-mile horse race say they'll make decision by July 16
By Gus Thomson, Journal Staff Writer

photo: view up the American River's middle fork canyon on Monday shows how smoky the Western States Trail route has been in recent days. The Quarry Trail, part of the Tevis Cup route riders will ride on July 19 and 20, can be seen on the bottom right.

Now it’s the turn of Tevis Cup organizers to think the unthinkable.

This year’s 100-mile ride from Squaw Valley to Auburn is still scheduled to start July 19.

But as the days count down and thick smoke from Placer County fires continues to lower air quality and raise health concerns, the Western States Trail Foundation has established a timeline to provide answers to the 150 riders and 800 volunteers.

Under that timeline, a final decision could come July 16.

Tom Christofk, trail foundation president, said Monday that ride organizers were moving ahead “full throttle” with plans to stage the ride along the Sierra Nevada’s Western States Trail July 19 and 20.

“The buckles are made, vendors are locked in and the contracts signed,” Christofk said.

Cancellation of the 54th running of the prestigious horse ride would be unprecedented. But so would have been cancellation of the Western States Endurance Run. Organizers decided June 25 – three days before the June 28 ultra marathon – to cancel the event because of smoke and safety concerns.

Christofk said that fire patterns indicate no immediate threats to the Western States Trail or difficulties that would hinder firefighting operations on the Forest Hill Divide.

That leaves smoke – or lack thereof – as the key to keeping the Tevis Cup running.

As Tevis Cup planning moves forward, committee members will meet Wednesday with U.S. Forest Service officials in the high country of Robinson Flat along the trail. A day later, Christofk said that if the chances are 50-50 that the ride could be cancelled, riders coming from 1,000 or more miles away from the event would be notified of conditions.

Riders from the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Canada and Europe are due to take part in this year’s Tevis Cup – one of the world’s most prestigious endurance rides.

On July 14, a Monday, committee members would re-assess the smoke situation to again consider notifying participants of smoke levels.

Then on July 16 – a Wednesday – committee members would have a clearer indication of whether unhealthy levels of smoke would continue to lurk in the air on the Tevis Cup weekend.

“That’s our ‘go-no go’ day for a final decision,” Christofk said. "It would be premature at this point make that decision because it’s tough to forecast out more than 48 hours.”

The ride has come close to cancellation just twice before. In both those instances, Christofk said he’s been told that ride founder Wendell Robie made the decision the night before to keep it going.

Potato Richardson, a two-time Tevis Cup winner, said that he has never seen anything like the smoky conditions now blanketing the area in the 36 years he’s been riding in the event. One year, the ride was re-routed because of snow levels but never because of smoke, he said.

Richardson was in the same position last week as the Tevis Cup leadership. On Wednesday, as president of the Gold Country Endurance Ride in the Georgetown area, he was forced to announce that smoke would cancel this past weekend’s 30- and 50-mile rides.

At least 100 riders had to make other plans. Richardson said he was playing host at his Cool-area home to three riders from London, England, who were out for the event. The weekend’s smoke was thick enough to keep him and his guests from doing any serious riding but they did get out for a slow walk Sunday.

Monday was even worse, however.

“The situation’s so bad that I woke up today and smelled the air and said to myself that I didn’t even want to be outside,” Richardson said.

The Journal’s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.

Full article - Roseville Press-Tribune

Queensland to host historic Quilty endurance ride

Horsetalk.co.nz
July 7, 2008

Australia's prestigious Tom Quilty Gold Cup endurance ride will take place in Nanango, Queensland, in September this year.

Considered one of the most challenging and competitive horse events in the world, the "Quilty" attracts champion riders from Australia and overseas. Last year one of the competitors at the Nanango International Endurance event was the King of Malaysia.

In 1966, 26 riders began the first Tom Quilty, a 100-mile endurance ride on a course west of Sydney.

Last year the Tom Quilty Gold Cup was held in Western Australia.

The ride, the brainchild of RM Williams, now attracts up to 250 of the finest riders in the world.

(Quilty Week runs from 15 to 21 September 2008)

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Belgium, France, Argentia - 1,2,3 in Gubbio

The CEIO Teams 1st Belgium 2nd France 3rd Argentina Official Team Results (PDF) The 120km Finish 1st Vito Grippo Nadi 2nd Erica Vagnetti Ghimly 3rd Matteo Pettinari Erkolino Official Results (PDF)

2008 Gubbio CEIO 160km Karin Boulanger and Poespass win Guy Dumas and Idryss du Melay 2nd Rachel Jaumotte and Rukban Dikruhu MMN 3rd Complete Coverage of the Event

Karin Boulanger and Poespass Winners of 2008 Gubbio CEIO

Karin Boulanger and Poespass Winners of CEIO 160km in Gubbio

Belgium leads France in the team competition at gate 4

The 120km Finish 1st Vito Grippo Nadi 2nd Erica Vagnetti Ghimly 3rd Matteo Pettinari Erkolino

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RTES at Edaran Endurance Classic 2008

RTES (Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable)performs well at Edaran Endurance Classic

His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong'S Horse Bags 'Best Condition Horse' Trophy in CEI 3* 160KM Ride

The Edaran Endurance Classic 2008 held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park, the venue of the forthcoming World Endurance Championship 2008 in Terengganu, ended 29 June 2008 with 8 successful completions out of 18 starters in the CEI 3* 160KM ride category. Of the 8 completions, 6 obtained their Certificate of Competency (COC).

King's Horse Declared Best Condition Horse In CEI 3*160KM Category
His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong's horse Cristal De Sulaiman bagged the Best Condition Horse Prize for the CEI 3* 160KM category. His Majesty successfully completed the 160KM ride and finished in fifth place.

Team Event 160KM
The top prize for the team for the 160KM went to the riders from Darul Iman Equestrian Terengganu. In second placing was the team from the Tengku Mahkota Kelantan Equestrian and third placing was won by Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable.
Posted by Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable

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2008 World Endurace Championship Official Launch

Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable participates in 2008 WEC Launch

The 2008 FEI World Endurance Championship was officially launched on Saturday 21 June in grand style with a 48 horse parade through the centre of Kuala Lumpur. The marching contingent of 48 horses was made up of Polis di-Raja Malaysia and DBKL's Mounted Units, and some of Malaysia's Endurance Team. They were accompanied by police outriders and two marching bands. Malaysia's Yang DiPertuan Agong and his consort the Permaisuri Agong were there to take their salute on their arrival at historic Dataran Merdeka.

Posted by Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable

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Malaysia: Edaran Endurance Classic 2008

Endurance.Net
June 29, 2008

The Edaran Classic 2008 held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park, the venue of the forthcoming World Endurance Championship 2008 in Terengganu, ended today with 8 successful completions out of 18 starters in the CEI 3* 160km ride category and 6 horse and rider teams earning their Certificate of Capability (COC).

Results and Summary

Equine Experts At Edaran Endurance Seminar 2008

On June 27, participants attended an information and knowlege-packed seminar on endurance riding organized in conjunction with the Classic. Speakers at the half-day seminar which was also held at the Terenggau International Endurance Park, included reputed equine exercise physiologist, Dr. Kerry Ridgeway from the USA, equine nutritionist and veterinarian Dr. Peter Huntington from Australia and master farrier Mr. Kevin Crafar from New Zealand.



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Argentina: Malaysian riders finish well at Cazon

Endurance.Net
June 29, 2008

Five riders from Malaysia were among the top 160km finishers this weekend at the Cazon Endurance Village in Argentina.

First place finisher was Argentina's Mercedes Tapia riding Caiparinha, a bay Polo horse that began her second career as an Endurance horse at Tapia's El Reparo Endurance training center 3 years ago. Tapia is one of Argentina's top riders, and this was Caiparinha's first win over a 160km course. Caiparinha also received the Best Condition award.

More on Argentine polo horses in Endurance

Malaysian riders also fared well finishing in 2nd through 6th positions:

1. Mercedes Tapia (ARG) - Z Caipirinha - 17.11 km/hr
2. Md Rino Abd Rani (MAL) - Bilad El Arab - 14.48 km/hr
3. Ahmad Azura Abd Ghani (MAL) - Box Bragada - 14.48 km/hr
4. Bakar Aman (MAL) - Amira - 14.48 km/hr
5. Ab Hamid Hussein Muhamad (MAL) - Baraka Daka - 14.46 km/hr
6. Mohd Ramly Abde Wahamb (MAL) - ZT Thay Lover - 14.10 km/hr
7. Pio Juan Miguel Olascoago (URU) - Ar Vale - 14.10 km/hr

More on Cazon Endurance Village

Mohammed spurs UAE

Khaleej Times
By Hisham Al Gizouli
30 June 2008


DUBAI - His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, led the UAE riders to their first seasonal European endurance title in Britain.

The race comes as part of the preparations of the national team for the World Championship scheduled to be held in Malaysia during the month of November.



Riders from France, Britain, Australia and the UAE took part in the competition which extended over 120 kilometres in relatively favourable weather conditions.

The three-member squad joined hands before they crossed the finish line ahead of the others.

Shaikh Rashid Dalmook bin Jumaa Al Maktoum and Abdullah Saeed were the other two members of the winning team.

According to the race reports, Shaikh Mohammed showed the way right from the start, followed by Shaikh Rashid Dalmook in the first 36km loop which they covered in 1:55:11 seconds at an average speed of 19,07/hr.

Shaikh Mohammed continued to set the pace in the second and third stages before the UAE riders dominated the field and went clear to cross the finish line in 3:31:28 seconds.

Sultan bin Sulayem was crowned champion of the 160km endurance ride which was held in the same venue.

Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed who started as hot favourite to win the ride, pulled out after the third loop to protect his horse.

The UAE rider and trainer Mubarak bin Shafiya said they were quite satisfied with the strong performance of the UAE riders.

Saeed Al Tayer, vice-chairman of the Dubai Equestrian Club said it was great to see the UAE riders winning two races at the same time in one day.

"UAE riders are the true champions of the world," he said.

Full Article

Bad Blumau Austria CEI*** 160km

Gulf Daily News
BAHRAIN'S Royal Endurance Team captain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Ahmed Abdulsamad clinched victories in the Austrian International Endurance Horseride held yesterday in Bad Blumau, Austria. Shaikh Nasser, the Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president (Breef), took the 160km race by clocking the best time of nine hours, 59 minutes and 22 seconds with a record speed average of 19.91 kms per hour. The Bahraini riders dominated this race, winning the next two positions through Ahmed Abdulla (9:59:25) who came second, followed by Ghazi Al Dossary (9:59:26) in third place.

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Arab sheikh backs wild horses for endurance

photo: horsetalk.co.nz

Could Australia's wild horses be about to take the endurance world by storm?

Thirteen wild horses from Western Australia have been plucked from the wilderness, and, in a tale reminiscent of "My Fair Lady", now find themselves living in air-conditioned comfort in Dubai with personal grooms.

Their mission is to make their mark in the sport of endurance in what will be an interesting tussle between the survival-of-the-fittest law of natural selection and the selective breeding of horse owners.

The whole exercise had its roots in a website built by Broome woman Libby Lovegrove to alert the world to the plight of horses in the broad expanses of the Kimberley.

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THE FEI WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 LAUNCHED WITH A BANG!

June 21, Kuala Lumpur: The FEI World Endurance Championship 2008 (FEI WEC 2008) was officially launched at Dataran Merdeka.

The launch started off with a parade of 48 horses and riders from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Royal Malaysian Police mounted units accompanied by police outriders, 2 marching bands, from the Malaysian Prison Department and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall along with a convoy of 10 cars and 15 motorbikes from Sime Darby Motor; the official vehicle partner for the FEI WEC 2008. The parade began from Lake Titiwangsa to Dataran Merdeka, along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

The Official Launch in Dataran Merdeka began upon the arrival of Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong (The King and Queen of Malaysia) and it started off with a colourful performance from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Cultural Group.

[More ...]

Endurance Discipline Manager Selected for WEG 2010

TheHorse.com
June 26, 2008

Emmett B. Ross has been selected as the Endurance Discipline Manager for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Ross brings more than 20 years of international endurance riding experience, acting as trainer, Chef d'Equipe, manager, participant, organizer, and consultant in more than 100 FEI 2 to 4* endurance events in more than 14 countries.

"I am honored and delighted to take on the role of endurance discipline manager, and look forward to working with the team of disciplines managers to help create a world-class competition environment and endurance course for the upcoming 2010 Games," Ross said.

Ross is one of eight discipline managers responsible for planning, managing and directing the world championship competitions in eight equestrian sports.

As an athlete, Ross was a Gold medal team member in the first North American Championships, and a three-time, top-10 finisher in the Tevis Cup in Auburn, California. Ross is the only trainer and coach in the world with FEI endurance wins in nine different countries.

[More ...]

Royal Bahrain Team set for Austria ride

Bahrain Gulf Daily News

BAHRAIN's Royal Endurance Team arrived yesterday in Graz City in Austria as they prepare to make debut in Austria's International Endurance Horseride scheduled for Saturday in Bad Blumau.

The team, to be led by Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, will be among 120 riders from 12 European countries taking part in races over 120km and 160km, both on Saturday.

After a long journey via Frankfurt Airport, the 25-member delegation reached the Austrian city without Shaikh Nasser who is due to arrive tomorrow to join the team training prior to the championship.

Commenting on his team's participation, Shaikh Nasser said they recently decided to take part in this race which replaced Thatford Race in the UK due to similar weather conditions in Austria and Malaysia, which will host the World Championship from November 9 to 11.

The Bahrainis are seeking to have as many riders qualified as possible for the World Championship to be held at Terengganu International Endurance Park in Setiu Terengganu.

Shaikh Nasser added that this will be the first time for the team to participate in a race in Austria, having mostly competed in the UK and France, besides Ireland, Germany and Portugal.

Team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan said the team is confident of doing well in the race, stressing on the importance of finishing the event without being disqualified in their bid to reach the World Championship.

NZ names World Champs endurance team

Three horse and rider combinations have been named to New Zealand's team to compete in the 2008 World Endurance Championships in Malaysia in September.

Jenny Champion and Freckles, Philip Graham and Wolfgang Amadeus, and Andrea Smith and Sierra Nevada have been selected.

[More ...]

Malaysia: King launches FEI World Endurance Championship

photo: Colourful handover: The King receiving the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) flag from Ian Williams, FEI director of non-Olympic sport.

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin launched the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Endurance Championship 2008 at Dataran Merdeka on Saturday.

Earlier, 41 horsemen paraded through the city via Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Jalan Pahang, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Raja before marching past the King at Dataran Merdeka.

The championship, which will be organised by Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan (YDSM), would be held at Lembah Bidong in Terengganu from Nov 6 to 9.

Besides the 41 horsemen, each holding the flags of participating nations, there was a spectacular parachuting display by four paratroopers from the Royal Malaysian Air Force. They carried the Jalur Gemilang, the flag of Terengganu, FEI and YDSM.

The FEI flag was handed over by its director of non-Olympic Sport Ian Williams to the King who then passed the colours to YDSM to declare the championship formally sanctioned to be held in Terengganu.

In his speech World Endurance Championship chief executive officer Datuk Dr Salleh Mohd Nor said about 140 endurance riders from all around the world were expected to take part in the event.

Entries from 41 countries have been confirmed.


Full Article - TheStar.com.my

Sudan's First Endurance Ride

On the 9th May, KICS Riding Club held the first ever endurance ride in Sudan. Of course we had big plans to hold it out on a farm about 80kms out of Khartoum, but unfortunately due to last minute problems we had to hold it in and around Soba. We managed to change the plans at the last minute and still have a succesful weekend.

[More ...]

Scottland: Gran National Triumph

Gran National Triumph

Jun 20 2008

JOCKEY Rachel Dewar, 79, came second in an epic 78-mile race and put it down to being young at heart.

The grandmother-of-two, who was in the saddle for 12 hours, modestly played down the fuss.

She said: "All you've got to do is sit there, it's not that hard."

Rachel, of Duns, Berwickshire, started the circular Hillhead Endurance Race at 7am in Musselburgh, East Lothian.

She finished on her horse Gypsy Cream at 7pm and admiited: "I was certainly feeling it for a few days afterwards."

Rachel, who took up endurance riding when fox hunting was banned, said: "I've got plenty of life in me yet. Horse riding keeps me fit."

Images of the Event

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Five Malaysians in World Endurance Championships

PETALING JAYA: Five Malaysian riders have qualified thus far for the FEI World Endurance Championships (WEC), which will be held at the newly-built Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP) in Lembah Bidong from Nov 6-9.

The Malaysian challenge will be spearheaded by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

The WEC chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Mohd Nor, said that the others who have secured qualification were Datuk Kamaruddin Abdul Ghani, Rosdan Mohd Nor, Mohd Shuaib Ishak and Abdul Halim Alihan.

As hosts, Malaysia have been allotted 12 places in the championships and have until Aug 21 to complete their qualification quota.

"I am very confident that our riders will be able to fill up the remaining seven places," said Dr Salleh at a press conference yesterday to announce the details of the championships.

"The entire training and selection process of the riders for the WEC have been left to the National Sports Institute (NSI)."

The NSI director general, Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz, said that there were several qualifying events more for riders to make the cut.

"There is a group of 11 riders and they are very serious in their training and have been pushing hard," he said.

[More ...]

WEC 2008 venue in Terengganu is among world's best

Jaiarajo Letchumanan, BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, THURS:

The Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), the venue for the World Endurance Championship 2008, is rated as one of the best in the world by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI).
The endorsement came from non other than FEI’s Non-Olympic Sports Director Ian Williams who has been regularly inspecting the TIEP situated in Lembah Bidong, Merang in Setiu, near Kuala Terengganu.

"I have been to many other venues around the world and the TIEP a number of times. The facilities there are simply fabulous and most impressive. I must say this is among the top three in the world, with the other two in the middle east," said Williams at the launch of the event here today.

“The stables are luxuriously spaced out, the crewing area, the departure gates and the permanent vet gates with more than 20 trotting lanes puts TEIP among the elite group of endurance venues," he said.

Terengganu will host the WEC, the first tropical country to do so, from Nov 6-9 at the TIEP with about 140 riders from 41 countries competing in the individual and team events held over 160km.
The Malaysian challenge will be spearheaded by the country’s number one sportsman, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abdidin, who became the first Malaysian to qualify for the WEC.


Full Article - New Straights Times Online

Sheik masterminds brumby 'super breed'

June 18, 2008 01:53am

AN oil sheik billionaire has started flying wild mares and stallions from remote WA to Dubai to create a "super breed of endurance racehorse.

Thirteen of the animals have arrived at plush stables in the United Arab Emirates from Lake Gregory, south of Halls Creek in the Kimberley, Peth Now reports.

The deputy ruler of Dubai, Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, sent his personal Australian veterinarian Alan Post to hand-pick them for breeding and racing.

He was alerted to their plight by a website run by Broome woman Libby Lovegrove.

Mr Post said the horses, previously regarded as pests and sold for pet food at $20 a head, could spark a stampede of orders from other cashed-up Gulf stables if they did well.

"The boss hasn't seen this lot yet (from Australia) because he's away, but if he likes them he will send us back for more,'' Mr Post told The Sunday Times from Dubai.

They will initially be used for the popular sport of endurance racing, covering distances of between 120km to 160km.

"They are thoroughbred types with a dash of Arab with good strong hearts, something which is probably genetic and passed on from original bloodlines,'' Mr Post said.

"We will start racing them this year and when the females are retired, we will start a breeding program.''

He said the sport was "massive'' in Dubai because sheiks could compete.

"They don't have to be expert riders or be the weights of jockeys,'' he said.

"It's something they can do themselves and their children can do as part of something they are passionate about.''

The tycoon owns thousands of horses and spends much of his time in England for big-ticket racing events.

Ms Lovegrove, an ardent animal rights campaigner, said it was a potential breakthrough after three years of hard work.

"This is wonderful news that could guarantee the future of the horses and provide a form of revenue for the three Aboriginal communities around Lake Gregory,'' she said.

"Hopefully, if the sheik is happy with them he'll take more and thus prove the value of these horses.''

Ms Lovegrove started her website after visiting the area with Margaret River equine veterinarian Sheila Greenwell.

Her research has indicated that many of the horses are descendants of thoroughbred Arab horses, taken to the Balgo and Kalumburu missions by priests looking to breed and sell them in the 1930s.

Some were used as stock horses on cattle stations, but were released into the wild when replaced by motorcycles and helicopters.

"Today, these beautiful horses (palominos, buckskins, chestnuts and paints) roam the wild gorges, rainforests and parklands of the northern Kimberley,'' Ms Lovegrove said.

The Paruku (Lake Gregory) indigenous protected area is a wetland of national and international importance, covering about 270,000ha in the northern Great Sandy Desert.

Full Article at news.com.au

Italy: Assisi Endurance Lifestyle 2008

www.assisiendurancelifestlye.it - Website


The 160 kms platform: De Angelis, the champion Garatti, Laliscia


The 120 kms platform: Sardo, the champion Ercoli, Bottiglia

ASSISI – Finally kissed by weather conditions less penalizing compared to the previuos days, the Italian Championships of equestrian endurance in Assisi have concluded. The tricolour verdicts expressed in the day of Saturday have been completed by a very heartfelt appointment like the Pony Endurance competitions reserved to the youngest people.

The daughter of art Costanza Laliscia, who saddling Flamenco has excelled over the shorter distance, and Alessandra Lolli, who has laid down the law on the longer competition, have placed side by side Simona Garatti and Enrico Ercoli, respectively Absolute Italian Champion and Young riders Italian Champion at the end of the two competitions played on Saturday.
The curtain, which is fallen on the Absolute Championships, has also been the occasion to strike a first balance, that is certaintly good by the light of the logistic difficulties caused by the bad weather conditions.

The torrential rains fallen down for the whole week and above all on Friday and Saturday - during the competitions as well- have put to hard test the organizational machine created by Umbria Endurance Equestrian Team.
The reply, however, has been as proud and furious as the climatic "provocations": the route of competition, in every respect under examination by the International Equestrian Federation considering the next European Championships, has brilliantly passed the test, proving to be technically high-level and extremely resistant for what concerns the consistence of the ground as well.

The rest has been made by the passion, the preparation and the spirit of sacrifice with which the staff and the lot of volunteers have undertaken in order to guarantee all the competitors the best conditions to express the maximum level.
Not by chance the endurance responsible of the Fei, Ian Williams, has had words of great appreciation: "I can but express a positive judgment about the route of these Italian Championships, that are going to be the theatre of the European Championships in 2009: it´s a perfect mix by the point of view of the altimetries and it really succeeds in getting the talents of the best horses emerged. We are waiting with great interest for coming back to Assisi on occasion of the next year competitions".

Absolute Italian Championship 160 kms
1. Simona Garatti-Z’Tadore Al Maury; 2. Danilo De Angelis-Present Jey; 3. Gianluca Laliscia-Seerseri.
Best condition prize: Z’Tadore Al Maury

Young riders Italian Championship 120 kms
1. Enrico Ercoli-Schhadja; 2. Marco Sardo-Dellaru; 3. Giordano Bottiglia-Zefirio.
Best condition prize: Schadja

Open 160 kms Classification
1. Simona Garatti-Z’Tadore Al Maury; 2. Danilo De Angelis-Present Jey; 3. Jack Begaud-Magui de la Perriere.

Pony Italian Championship cat. A 4,8 kms
1. Costanza Laliscia-Flamenco; 2. Maria Chiara Fischetto-Farfallina; 3. Martina Fabrizi-Dotto.

Pony Italian Championship cat. B 9,6 kms
1. Alessandra Lolli-Alish Kashmir; 2. Francesco Ricci-Golden Died; Maria Sara Santicchia-Pablo.


In the photo above the category A Pony endurance platform: Fischietto, the champion Laliscia e Fabrizi

In the photo below the category B Pony endurance platform: Ricci, the champion Lolli e Santicchia

Mosti bags Kingdom of Bahrain title

Laurent Mosti of France notched the Le Raid de Yvelines Endurance Horseride Championship for the Kingdom of Bahrain Trophy in France. The French riders dominated the 160-km event and took the top six positions. Mosti steered Baja De Piboul to win the race with a total ride time of eight hours, 29 minutes and 53 seconds. Not far behind was Remi Faucher (8:29:55) who was followed by Vincent Dupont (8:38:26) and Denis Pesce (8:38:32) in third and fourth places respectively. Joel Garcin (8:40:04) and Jean Daniel Aiello (8:44:40) were fifth and sixth.

Bahrain Royal Endurance team manager Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan presented the trophy to the winner.

More than 110 riders from Europe, Qatar and Oman took part in this challenging race which was divided into six stages.

Among Arab riders Qatar's Yousif Al Malki (10:21:00) was the first to cross the finish line in 23rd position overall. Oman's Mohammed Al Foori and compatriot Sami Al Balushi (10:48:37 each) shared the 28th place and Qatari Mohammed Tahous was 31st.
Bahrai - Gulf Daily News

Man only just loses out in race with horse

Jun 15 2008 Media Wales

FOUR legs triumphed over two legs, but only just, in an endurance event with a difference today.

More than 300 individual runners, 65 relay teams of three runners each and 46 horses competed in the annual 22-mile Man Versus Horse race in Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, mid Wales.

Runner John Macfarlane was the first placed individual runner when he finished the gruelling course in a time of two hours, 18 minutes and 13 seconds.

The time was just a mere 30 seconds slower than Geoffrey Allen from Budeleigh, Worcestershire, who crossed the line riding horse Duke’s Touch of Fun.

The first race took place in 1980 and it has been a regular fixture in the eccentric village also known for its Bog Snorkelling Championships.

Three years ago, Huw Lobb from Bedford became the first human to win the competition and scooped £25,000 of unclaimed prize money accumulated over the years.

Equine superiority was restored the following year when horse Gifted Lady, ridden by mother-of-one Lisa Cooke, 39, from Carmarthen, South Wales, won in two hours and 19 minutes.

Gordon Green of Green Events, the company responsible for putting on many of the quirky events in Llanwrtyd Wells, said: “Mr Macfarlane was very disappointed to lose by just 30 seconds.

“Had he beat the horse he would have won £30,000 but in the end he just collected a cup, which was a shame.”

“I’m very pleased with how the day went. The weather conditions were fine and it was a glorious day.

“We had 46 horses taking part which is more than any other horse race in Britain.”

He added: “People are surprised that a runner can be as fast as a horse. You have to remember that the course is over a long distance and they have to keep horses in good condition and they have to slow down and stop ahead of the vet check halfway round the course.

“All these things are slowing but are required for the welfare of the horse because it is easy to run a horse into the ground.

“There is a lot of welfare attached to racing horse whereas there isn’t for runners.”

Full article

Omani riders make history

For the first time, Oman will be among countries taking part in the finals of the ‘World Cup of Endurance’ in Malaysia in November. The historic achievement comes after riders of Royal Cavalry passed the distant phases of the French Rambuillet Race. This race qualifies contestants for the World Cup of Endurance. Sami Said Al Balushi who skilfully rode the mare ‘Luwana’ and Mohmood Marhoon Alfori, riding the mare ‘Khalifat’ passed the six race phases with unmatched success. The total distance of the phases is 160km. Well-known riders and horses of the endurance world took part in the French race.

Mexico: Endurance Orieantal, Puebla 2008

ENDURANCE ORIENTAL, PUEBLA 2008
Club Hípico de Teziutlán, Pue. y El Comité Mexicano de Endurance Ecuestre
Invita a su competencia anual de endurance del Estado de Puebla


Invitación a todos los amantes del caballo

Fecha: Sábado 12 y Domingo 13 de Julio de 2008
Lugar: Hotel Hacienda de Santiago Texmelucan
categorías:

40 km,
60 km, y
Ruta de 20 km para promoción
Premios:

A los tres primeros lugares de cada categoría y a los mejores caballos on mejor condición física.
Actividades:

Sábado 10 de Julio: Junta informativa, registro de jinetes, revisi´n de la ruta e inspección veterinaria.

Domingo 13 de Julio: Competencia y entrega de Premios y reconocimientos.
Contactos:

Ricardo Galán
ricardo.galan64@gmail.com
cel. 231-329-0083

Mauricio Orozco
mau_orozco@hotmail.com
cel. 231-108-2765

Hotel Hacienda Texmelucan
cel 222-323-8310

Comité Mexicano de Endurance Ecuestre

Habrá actividades dentro de la Hacienda para toda la familia.




Australia: Sheik gambles on WA horse 'super breed'

photo:TYCOON'S VISION: Members of the Mulan community repair fences in preparation for catching an Arab oil billionaire's 'super breed' horses near Lake Gregory.

Glenn Cordingley

June 14, 2008 06:00pm

A HORSE-MAD oil sheik billionaire has started flying wild mares and stallions from remote WA to Dubai to create a "super breed" of endurance racehorse.
Thirteen of the animals have arrived at plush stables in the United Arab Emirates from Lake Gregory, south of Halls Creek in the Kimberley.

The deputy ruler of Dubai, Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, sent his personal Australian veterinarian Alan Post to hand-pick them for breeding and racing.

He was alerted to their plight by a website _ www.wildhorseskimberley.com _ run by Broome woman Libby Lovegrove.

Mr Post said the horses, previously regarded as pests and sold for pet food at $20 a head, could spark a stampede of orders from other cashed-up Gulf stables if they did well.

"The boss hasn't seen this lot yet (from Australia) because he's away, but if he likes them he will send us back for more," Mr Post told The Sunday Times from Dubai.

They will initially be used for the popular sport of endurance racing, covering distances of between 120km to 160km.

"They are thoroughbred types with a dash of Arab with good strong hearts, something which is probably genetic and passed on from original bloodlines," Mr Post said.

"We will start racing them this year and when the females are retired, we will start a breeding program."

He said the sport was "massive" in Dubai because sheiks could compete.

"They don't have to be expert riders or be the weights of jockeys," he said.

"It's something they can do themselves and their children can do as part of something they are passionate about."

The tycoon owns thousands of horses and spends much of his time in England for big-ticket racing events.

Ms Lovegrove, an ardent animal rights campaigner, said it was a potential breakthrough after three years of hard work.

"This is wonderful news that could guarantee the future of the horses and provide a form of revenue for the three Aboriginal communities around Lake Gregory," she said.

"Hopefully, if the sheik is happy with them he'll take more and thus prove the value of these horses."

Ms Lovegrove started her website after visiting the area with Margaret River equine veterinarian Sheila Greenwell.

Her research has indicated that many of the horses are descendants of thoroughbred Arab horses, taken to the Balgo and Kalumburu missions by priests looking to breed and sell them in the 1930s.

Some were used as stock horses on cattle stations, but were released into the wild when replaced by motorcycles and helicopters.

"Today, these beautiful horses (palominos, buckskins, chestnuts and paints) roam the wild gorges, rainforests and parklands of the northern Kimberley," Ms Lovegrove said.

The Paruku (Lake Gregory) indigenous protected area is a wetland of national and international importance, covering about 270,000ha in the northern Great Sandy Desert.

Perth Now - full article

Old Dominion: Race will test horses, riders

NVDaily.com - full article

photo: Ronald Miller of Jerome jogs his horse, Olympia, in a vet check Friday afternoon to qualify for today's Old Dominion endurance race. photo-Rich Cooley/Daily

By Sally Voth -- Daily Staff Writer

ORKNEY SPRINGS — A few dozen riders are expected to set off at dawn this morning for what could be 24 hours in the saddle.

They are part of the annual Old Dominion 100 Mile Endurance Ride, which will loop from Orkney Springs to Wardensville, W.Va., and back. Scores more will be taking part in 25- and 55-mile rides.

On Friday afternoon, an open space along Happy Valley Road had been turned into a large encampment of trailers, tractors, trucks, horses, riders and veterinarians.

As of Friday afternoon, 32 of the 167 riders were signed up for the 100-mile portion of the Old Dominion Endurance Ride. The remainder will take part in one of the shorter rides.

For the first time in the ride's history, dating back to the mid-1970s, the race starts in Orkney Springs, on land owned by Bryce Resort, ride manager Joe Selden said. Previously, horses and riders set off from Leesburg and, more recently, Front Royal.

"We outgrew the national 4-H Center in Front Royal," Selden said. "There just wasn't room for this many trailers and trucks and people and horses."

One of the members of Old Dominion Endurance Rides Inc. is an Orkney Springs resident, he said.

"He suggested that we look around here because the trails were so nice," Selden said.

The club likes the spot of its base camp so much, it's negotiating a lease with Bryce Resort, he said.

Riders have up to 24 hours to complete the 100-mile route, which has veterinary stops about every 12 miles, Selden said.

"We don't want injured horses," he said. "We don't want horses getting sick because it's a lot of work."

While "it's not like everybody galloping hell-bent for leather down the trail," until the final half-mile, it definitely is a race, Selden said.

"It's a speed contest," he said. "The speed itself is one horse, one rider competing against the trail. The motto of the sport is 'to finish is to win.' You don't have to be the first to feel good. It's a competition against the clock and against the trail."

Those riding 100 miles are setting out this morning at 5:30 a.m., followed by those going 55 miles at 7 a.m. and the 25-milers an hour later.

Competitors have come from every eastern state, Selden said, and two are from Canada. Shrine Mont is providing the participants' food.

Selden said the rides are open to any equine — and he does mean any — age 5 or older.

"We have horses, we have mules, and one year we had a zebra," he said.

Generally, about 40 percent of riders who start the 100 miles finish, Selden said.

His wife, Nancy Smart, is the other ride manager. While she's not riding in this race, she's done the endurance ride in the past.

"It's enormously thrilling, and you get going on such endorphins that you think you're Wonder Woman and can do anything," Smart said. "The horses are very well-conditioned to do this. It's a hard sport, and it takes an enormous amount of dedication and work on the part of the rider and the horse."

Head veterinarian Dennis Seymore, from northeast Texas, has been working endurance races for 22 years. Vets will regularly check the horses for lameness and metabolic problems, Seymore said.

"I think it's a great sport," he said. "You can meet people from all over the United States, lot of camaraderie."

Angelique Miller and her husband, Ronald, of Jerome, are riding the 25-mile course.

"I enjoy the sport," she said. "I enjoy seeing the trails. They take really good care of their horses in this sport."

Mrs. Miller encouraged her husband to sign up for the ride.

"She made me," he laughed.

* Contact Sally Voth at svoth@nvdaily.com

Malaysia: Edaran Endurance Classic 2008

Edaran Endurance Classic Draws 150 Participants

KUALA LUMPUR, June 11
(Bernama)

About 150 participants have confirmed participation in the Edaran Endurance Classic (EEC) 2008 at the International Endurance Park in Lembah Bidong, Terengganu on June 26.

The participants for the three-day event are from Australia, France, New Zealand, Russia, Italy, Bahrain and Brazil.

The tournament's organising committee chairman, Datuk Abdul Hamid Mustapha said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin would also participate in the EEC.

"Tuanku Mizan will participate in the 160km ride, which is his favourite event," he told reporters here.

He said the EEC would feature four individual and team events in the 160km, 120km, 80km and 40 km ride.

Abdul Hamid said the main events would be the 160km ride which gave riders the opportunity to obtain their Certificate of Competitiveness (COC) for the World Endurance Championship (WEC) to be held on Nov 9, at the same place.

"The organising of this year's EEC is part of the preparation for the WEC 2008 which Malaysia is hosting for the first time," he added.

The WEC is held every four years.

Abdul Hamid said so far, only five Malaysians, including Tuanku Mizan, were eligible to participate in the WEC.

The others are Datuk Kamaruddin Ab. Ghani, Abdul Halil Alihan, Mohd Shuaib Ishak and Rosdan Mohd Nor.

Bernama.com

Mosti/Baja De Piboul Capture Rambouillet

2008 Raid Yvelines Bhrain Cup AMA Elite GP

Laurent Mosti and Baja de Piboul

First to Finish

Complete Coverage

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Van Wijk and Latino Capture Dutch Championship!

Jannet Van Wijk on Latino of The Netherlands race to the finish of the 2008 Dutch National Championship 160km Race moments ahead of Michaela Kosel on Black Shetan of Germany. Ms Van Wijk and Latino are the Champions of the Day, followed in completion by a trio of German riders.

The beautiful weather and excellent venue provided a suitable context for this very competitive championship event!

[Full Coverage on www.enduranceEurope.net]

New Date: FEI European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in Oviedo

FEI News 28/05/2008

Important information regarding the FEI European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in Oviedo (ESP)

Grave concern was expressed following the Trial Run in Oviedo earlier this month when it was learnt that the Championships were due to clash with a large national cycling competition.

It was reported that there would be considerable risk for competitors when sharing tracks with the cyclists. Likewise for the crew and back up vehicles. It was also reported that there was a severe lack of accommodation available during the time of the Championships.

With all this in mind the FEI had submitted a request to the Organising Committee to consider a date change to avoid the clash.

We have now received confirmation from the OC that the event has been postponed by 2 weeks. The new dates for the Championships are:

26 - 28 September 2008

Whilst the FEI tries, at all costs, to avoid date changes of competitions, it was felt, under these extreme circumstances, that the risk of having the two events at the same time was too great not to have a change of date.

We would ask all parties involved to kindly note this change of date and inform all persons affected.

Dutch National Championship

Riders prepare for 2008 Dutch Endurance Championships at Ermelo. The championship event anticipates riders from Russia, Belgium, Denmark, Georgia, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, Great Brittain, Germany, Greece, The Netherlands, France, Poland, Austra, Switzerland and Finland

Endurance.Net Event Coverage

Official Web Site

Endurance rider places in Idaho championship

Humboldt Beacon
Article Launched: 06/05/2008 03:31:03 AM PDT

On Sunday May 25, Joyce Sousa of Hydesville and her Arabian equine partner, LV Integrity raced to a four way tie in the 100 mile Owyhee Fandango AERC, FEI,and AHA Region IV Championship in Idaho. The pair received the Best Condition award in the Arabian Horse Association Championship Ride. The pair posted a time of 9 hours and 2 minutes.

The pair competed against 25 riders, most of which have been nominated for the World Endurance Championship to be held in Malaysia in November of this year. Riders came from Virginia, Utah, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho and California. Becky Hart, World Team Endurance coach, attended the ride and divided the nominated riders into rider teams.

Joyce Souza and LV Integrity teamed up with two riders from California and two from Washington. The team placed first taking the top four placings. A final training session will take place in Nevada at the end of July with the selection of a World Team sometime in August.

Endurance riding is a popular sport with rides taking place across the United States. Locally, the Redwood Empire Endurance Riders put on four events each year. The first club ride will be on June 6 at the Chalk Mountian Ranch in Bridgeville.

Humboldt Beacon

Rambouillet: Raid Yvelines Bahrain Cup

114 Entrants from 14 Countries will test the endurance course at Rambouillet France on 7 June. The CEI*** 160km Raid Yvelines Bahrain Cup will feature members of the National Endurance Team as they qualify for the upcoming 2008 World Endurance Championship in Malaysia.

The 3 day event will also host qualifiers for the upcoming 2008 World Young Horse Championship!

EnduranceEurope.net Coverage

Malaysia: Abdul Rahman Strides To Terengganu's First Gold Of The Games

June 02, 2008 18:06 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, June 2 (Bernama) -- Abdul Rahman Mohd strode his way to Terengganu's first gold medal of the 12th SUKMA (Malaysia Games) after winning the 80km endurance race in equestrian held at the Terengganu Equestrian Resort in Kuala Ibai near here Monday.

The 18-year-old, riding "Tanwin Allure" averaged better speed throughout the gruelling 80km race to win ahead of team-mate Muhammad Alf Sabidi and give the host state every reason to celebrate, especially after failing to hit the gold trail on Sunday.

However, despite making it a 1-2 finish in the individual event, Terengganu failed to make it a grand double when riders from the Federal Territories clinched the Team gold with better average speed from their four riders.

The silver in the team event went to Melaka while Terengganu had to be contended with the bronze.

A total of 30 riders from nine states - Johor, Kedah, Melaka, Pahang, Penang, Selangor, Terengganu, Kelantan and Federal Territories - started the race which lasted for about eight hours as the horses needed to be rested after every 20km.

According to technical delegate for equestrian Major Yap Mou Soon, the race which started at 4pm Sunday ended at well past 1am.

"The horses needed to be checked after every 20km as per the requirement stipulated in the rules of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and that was the reason why endurance races take a long time to complete," he told Bernama when contacted.

Equestrian offers six gold medals in the SUKMA with four more coming from show jumping and dressage.

-- BERNAMA

Bernama.com

Mohammad and Hamdan clinch top honours

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, won the endurance race in Damascus on Saturday, according to a report received here.

Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, won top honours in the 120-km endurance race.

Other UAE participants came third, fourth and fifth in a field comprising 170 competitors from the UAE and Syria.
Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, also participated in the race.

[More ...]

Maria Alverez Ponton and Iska Shine in France

Maria Alverez Ponton, riding Iska, holds first place at the 2008 Compienge CEIO 160km race. Ms. Alvereze Ponton held a spead of 25.055 km/hr on the final 6th phase of the race to hold the lead ahead of Laurent Mosti (FRA) on Khandela des Vialette (2nd) and Karin Boulanger (BEL) on Armia.
EnduranceEurope.Net Coverage

GBR: Success at Bahrain Dukeries Ride

Congratulations to Tricia Hirst riding Vlacq Abattarik, who won the FEI 160km in an exciting racing finish with H.H.Sh.Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and H.H.Sh.Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, at a speed of 16.96kph. Congratulations too to Jenni Gilbert on Flurrie who won the 160km National class.

[More ...]

Great Britain: Lyme Regis rider earns silver medal

Midweekherald.co.uk - Full Story

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
29 May 2008

ENDURANCE RIDER Kirsty Wiscombe from Lyme Regis completed two 160km rides in the last two weeks and finished both.

She has four horses registered to compete this season plus her young riders Natasha and Dace Sainsbury, who also live in Lyme, who have three horses.

Kirsty's two novice horses, Yawl Hillbilly and Ishtar Spirit, have been going well and have done three rides each.

She said: "Billy gave a stunning display at the Golden Horseshoe stallion parade...

More...

Nordic-Baltic Championship

A Photo Finish in Finland!! - Baltic-Nordic Championship

Gold	NOR	06:29:34	Olaug Espeli Carstensen and Jubilee
Silver	SWE	06:29:35	Jessica Holmberg and Ztefan
Bronze	NOR	06:30:28	Ellen Suhr and Shamrac ox

[More ...]

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Bahrain: SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD NOMINATED FOR WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

BAHRAIN ROYAL EQUESTRIAN AND ENDURANCE FEDERATION (BREEF) PRESIDENT SHAIKH NASSER BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA HAS BECOME A NOMINEE FOR THE NEXT ENDURANCE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FEI AFTER HIS BIG WIN YESTERDAY IN THE 160KM BAHRAIN DUKERIES RACE.

SHAIKH NASSER CAME THIRD IN MAY'S RANKING. HE CAME SECOND IN THE BRITISH DUKERIES RIDE FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR. SHAIKH NASSER WAS ALMOST A WINNER AT YESTERDAY'S EVENT BUT WAS HELD BACK WHEN HIS THE HORSESHOE OF HIS HORSE GANDA KOY FELL AT THE FIFTH STAGE. THIS CAUSED HIM A 10 MINUTE DELAY. SHAIKH NASSER, THE ROYAL TEAM CAPTAIN, EXPRESSED DELIGHT TO STAND ON THE PODIUM FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR NEXT TO HIS BROTHER SHAIKH KHALID WHO CAME THIRD.
THE BIGGEST GAIN FROM THIS RACE IS THAT THE BAHRAINI TEAM, NOMINATED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2008 FEI WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP IN MALAYSIA, HAS COMPLETED ALL STAGES OF THE EVENT SUCCESSFULLY, HE SAID. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN PREPARING THE TEAM FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP, HE NOTED. SHAIKH NASSER DESCRIBED THE RACE AS EXCITING AND SAID THAT EACH HORSERIDER HANDLED THE RESPONSIBILITY EFFICIENTLY. BAHRAINI SUCCESS IN EUROPEAN RACES WILL CONTINUE IN COMING STAGES, HE REMARKED.
SHAIKH NASSER AND SHAIKH KHALID SAID THAT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF BAHRAINI ENDURANCE WERE A RESULT OF THE SUPPORT OF HIS MAJESTY THE KING. HIS MAJESTY'S FOLLOW-UP DURING THE RACE PUSH US TOWARDS PUTTING MORE EFFORT TOWARDS CLINCHING MORE ASSETS FOR BAHRAINI SPORT IN GENERAL, AND ENDURANCE ESPECIALLY, THEY SAID. THEY VOWED TO PUT EVEN MORE EFFORT TOWARDS MORE BAHRAINI SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS.
MEANWHILE, SHAIKH KHALID SAW THAT COMING THIRD IN THE RACE WAS AN ENCOURAGING START FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS. ALTHOUGH HE WAS BUSY WITH HIS STUDIES, HE WAS KEEN ON CONTRIBUTING TO ACHIEVEMENTS THAT HONOUR THE NAME OF BAHRAIN AND HAD SUCCEEDED IN THAT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SHAIKH NASSER. SHAIKH KHALID EXPRESSED JOY AT THE RESULTS OF BAHRAINI JOCKEYS IN THE RACE AND AFFIRMED THAT THE COMING RESULTS WOULD BE EVEN BETTER. ROYAL TEAM JOCKEY AHMED ABDULLAH CAME FIRST IN THE 120KM PHASE OF THE BAHRAIN DUCKERIES RACE IN THE UK.
THE GUIDANCE OF SHAIKH NASSER AND SHAIKH KHALID AND THE COOPERATION OF THE TEAM WERE BEHIND THE ACHIEVEMENT, HE SAID. THE RACE WAS GOOD AND EXCITING IN ALL ITS STAGES AND WAS A GOOD BEGINNING FOR THE FIRST RACE OF THE ROYAL TEAM IN BRITAIN, HE SAID. COMMENTING ON THE RESULTS OF THE TEAM IN ITS FIRST RACE IN THE UK, THE COACH AND JOCKEY AT THE TEAM SHAIKH DUAIJ BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA THAT THEY CAME AS A GOOD PREPARATION FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP IN MALAYSIA.
THE PREPARATION PROGRAMME FOR THE TEAM WILL CONTINUE FOR THE SAKE OF ACHIEVING THE BEST RESULTS UNTIL THE MALAYSIA CHAMPIONSHIP, HE SAID. NTQ/ 25-MAY-2008 23:09